On Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen is in the center of the Riviera Maya. Its central location is convenient for visiting the famous sights and resorts around the state of Quintana Roo, including the island of Cozumel, just a 45 minute ferry ride away.

Typical of some of the world’s most popular holiday resorts, Playa del Carmen was once a small fishing village. While it retains a laid-back charm it has an eclectic, European feel about it. Playa is popular with families, backpackers and hipsters alike, drawn by the Bohemian vibe, notable beaches and easy access to a myriad of activities and places of interest in and around the Yucatan Peninsula.

Visitors traveling to Playa for dental treatment will not be disappointed by the quality of care and facilities. State-of-the-art clinics, highly-skilled specialized dentists and exquisite surroundings will make it feel more like an outing to a spa – and beyond the dental clinic fascinating underwater worlds, the Ancient Maya culture and upmarket, lively resorts provide the perfect backdrop for your dental holiday.

Where is Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is on the North-Eastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo. Located between Cancun and Tulum, this stretch of coastline, known as the Riviera Maya, overlooks the Caribbean Sea and is the prime holiday destination in Mexico.

Playa is served by Cancun International Airport, around 45 minutes drive away.

Why visit a dentist in Playa del Carmen?

Undoubtedly a picturesque part of the world, what better way to swallow the bitter pill of dental treatment than to sugar coat it with a holiday? Attractive though this proposition is, it is made even better by the huge savings on the cost of dental treatment in Playa del Carmen.

Rising costs, lack of insurance and a need to tighten belts in these days of austerity has seen the rise of dental treatment abroad – either as a specific holiday or as part of routine dental care while on holiday. A dental holiday is not just about big, expensive treatments such as dental implants or root canals – and many more people are now going on holiday and arranging routine treatments such as fillings, or quick cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, while they are there. The reasons for this? Mainly because the treatments are inexpensive compared to back home, but also because people do realize how important their dental health, and their teeth are, and are inclined to look after them if the prices of dental treatments are affordable.

But it is not just about getting cheap dental care – and, rightly, people are wary of going abroad and want to ensure that just because they are getting low-cost dental care that the quality is not low-cost too. Finding and booking a dentist in Playa del Carmen with Dental Departures takes the uncertainty out of this issue. All our dentists are pre-screened – we check our dentists backgrounds, including qualifications, and we visit our clinics. We do not list anyone unless we are satisfied with the results so our patients know they are getting a quality-checked dentist when they book with us.

For travelers from the US and Canada particularly, getting to Playa del Carmen is a relatively short flying time away, and flights are frequent and inexpensive – useful if you are having extensive treatment requiring multiple visits.

Even for patients who do require multiple visits, the total cost of the treatment, flights and accommodation can still often be less than the cost alone at home – which is often the only reason some need to be able to travel to this beautiful holiday destination more than once. Here are some examples of the savings you can make on dental care in Playa del Carmen:

Average cost of a zirconia dental crown in the US $1,600; At a dentist in Playa del Carmen $560

Average cost of root canal, post and crown in the US $2,200; At a dentist in Playa del Carmen $750

Average cost of dental implant and crown in the US $3,900; At a dentist in Playa del Carmen $2,000

Where to stay?

Hotel accommodation in Playa del Carmen is plentiful with ranges to suit all budgets – with rooms from under $30 a night in a 3* hotel to 5* hotels starting from around $70 a night.

Is it safe?

Yes. There are no travel advisories in effect for the state of Quintana Roo, and the resorts along the Riviera Maya including Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum are as safe as any other popular tourist destinations anywhere else in the world. As one of Mexico’s most visited destinations, particularly from Americans, there is an interest in making sure the area remains safe.

Is the quality of the care the same as back home?

In a great deal of cases the quality of care at Playa del Carmen’s dental clinics actually surpasses the standards received by many people at home. Of course, while the eventual outcome of the treatment is the most important factor, increasingly it is becoming more commonplace for clinics to provide quality across all aspects of its services. This means that every impression counts – from the first contact by the patient to the clinic to when they have completed all their treatment – and good clinics generally do their utmost to ensure that their standards are good across the board.

In part, this is due to the increase in dental tourism, the numbers of which are still rising steadily year upon year. Demand for affordable dental care in tourist destinations such as Playa del Carmen has led to the establishment of clinics to supply the dental care needed. It is very much a symbiotic relationship of supply and demand. As more patients arrive looking for dental care, then so more clinics are needed to keep up with demand.

And the reasons patient numbers are going up in Playa del Carmen and other tourist destinations? Simply – the quality of services are generally excellent and it is really just a case of business economics. The competition to attract patients is strong, and so dentists here have to provide the best services. They provide the best services and more patients come to them. More patients means more money. More money is re-invested into the business to keep it competitive…and so the cycle continues. It is no coincidence that many patients feel their care is better here than at home – in many cases it probably is.

For patients who find and book their dentist in Playa del Carmen with Dental Departures, the uncertainty of whether your dentist abroad is a reputable one has largely been removed. All our dentists are quality-checked – we verify their credentials; we visit clinics – if we’re not happy sending our Mom’s here we don’t recommend them to you and we ask all our patients to give us reviews of their experiences. ALL of our reviews are published on our website – good, bad or indifferent – and it is this commitment to providing an honest, reliable and trustworthy service that makes booking with us the first step to getting your high-quality dental treatment in Playa del Carmen.

What is something goes wrong? Are their warranties or guarantees?

Sometimes, things can go wrong – but its how we attempt to put them right that matters. No-one can guarantee dental work 100% – the human body reacts in many different ways and no-one can predict with absolute certainty how it will react to any given situation. By seeing a quality-checked dentist you can limit your risks as to the outcome of your treatment, but also, for further peace of mind, all of our dentists’ have guarantees or warranties on the procedures they carry out and any lab work.

In the unlikely event that you have any problems after your treatment we will do our utmost to get the problem sorted for you – just contact us at Dental Departures and we will liaise with your dentist on your behalf to get any issues resolved.

Although our dentists offer warranties to resolve any complications at no cost to you, you may be worried about additional expenses such as travel or accommodation and whether you will be able to afford it should you have to go back to your global dentist unexpectedly.

We believe we offer one of the most comprehensive aftercare packages available for your global dental treatment, giving you complete peace of mind so you truly can book with confidence with Dental Departures.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

No. Playa del Carmen is a popular destination for travelers from across the globe. Of course, Spanish is the main language, as it is throughout Mexico, but English is widely spoken here. Our dental clinics have English-speaking staff and you will find English is spoken in hotels, shops and restaurants.

What payment methods are accepted by most dental offices?

Our dental clinics accept US cash as payment and most accept debit cards. Some accept traveler’s checks, personal checks and bank transfers – and credit cards which may be subject to a small processing fee of between 3 and 4%. It is best to check with each individual dental clinic as to what their preferred payment method is.

Is my US or Canadian Dental Insurance Accepted?

Most dental offices in Playa del Carmen will be unable to bill your insurance company directly. However, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your dental treatment costs upon your return home if your insurance provider allows out-of-network care. Check directly with your insurance company before you leave and if they will reimburse you make sure you get the required forms to take with you for your dentist in Playa del Carmen to sign.

When is the best time to visit one of our dentists?

Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate with average year-round temperatures of around 80F, with little variation between the seasons. This makes it a good place to visit, whatever time of year it is.

The hottest times of the year are between June and September, but with the sea breezes the temperature rarely gets above 95F. There are two rainy seasons – May through to June and October through December. However, this just means there may be some rain on some days, rather than non-stop downpours for days on end. As these times are considered to be the low seasons you may get great deals on flights and accommodation during these times.

Our dentists in Playa del Carmen are open all year round, save for holidays such as Christmas.

Is the city handicapped accessible?

Some of our dental clinics provide shuttle services from your hotel to your appointment, and the clinics are wheelchair-friendly once you get there.

There are many hotels that are wheelchair-friendly and getting around Playa del Carmen is certainly a lot more manageable than many other resorts as there are pedestrianized areas which are wide, smooth and obviously traffic-free. There are ramps leading down to some beaches, although they may still be a little steep.

What is the downside? What should I know about visiting?

Playa del Carmen provides all the amenities and facilities you would expect from an established, popular resort. There are no particular downsides specific to Playa del Carmen, and the only irritants are likely to be the same as they are elsewhere, for instance, beach vendors can be an annoyance to some, whereas for others they are not a problem.

If you are visiting for dental care, we always advise that you choose a quality-checked dentist at an established clinic through Dental Departures. It is wise to ensure you have a suitably qualified specialist who is experienced in the area of dentistry you require, and this is where we can help you narrow down the search and find the right dentist at the right price.

Another issue for dental care is regarding gas sedation, which is offered as standard in the US and Canada, but not so in Mexico. The administration of gas (nitrous oxide) is a specialist service provided by some clinics at an additional charge of $400-$600 as it requires the services of an anesthetist. If you require full sedation we can help you arrange this.

Otherwise, local anesthesia is standard and if you suffer with anxiety and require medication such as Valium this can be requested prior to your visit.

What else is there in town?

If you are visiting Playa del Carmen for dental treatment, there is much in the way of day-to-day amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, as well as plenty of things to do between visits to your dentist’s office.

The waters around Playa del Carmen are teeming with vibrant marine life and underwater caverns, making it one of the most popular dive destinations. For water sports enthusiasts there are all manner of activities under, in and on the water, including kayaking, sailing, fishing, and para-sailing.

On land, there are great shops and restaurants along Playa del Carmen’s ‘5th Avenue’, Quinta Avenida, the pedestrian promenade. Located just one block from the beach next to the main square (the Zocalo) it is the place to see and be seen.

There are plenty of ruins of the Mayan culture around the area, including nearby Tulum and you can explore independently or as part of one of the local tours which will take you from pristine white beaches to jungle excursions.

Xcaret archaeological park provides a host of activities for getting close to nature and learning of the Mayan culture, including swimming with dolphins and getting up-close to marine turtles.

Golfers will find a number of good courses around the area and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants serving food from around the world. For nightowls there are clubs, but it is generally more low-key here than in Cancun.

Flying in?

The nearest airpots to Playa del Carmen are Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Cozumel International Airport (CZM) – both of which are less than an hour away.

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This article is meant for information purposes only and is not intended to be dental advice or instructions for dental diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your dentist or a qualified dental professional before starting or changing dental treatment.